WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Richard Burr applauded the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for expanding the access to care for North Carolina veterans with the announcement of two new outpatient clinics in North Carolina.  One clinic will be established in Goldsboro and the other in the Edenton-Elizabeth City area.  This week, the VA announced a total of 31 new clinics would be opened nationwide.

"Giving our veterans expanded access to world-class health care is one of our most important responsibilities," Burr said.  "As more and more veterans move to North Carolina and call it home, we have a growing need for clinics like the two announced this week. I look forward to working with the VA in finding more areas in our state that can use new facilities and help bring needed care to all our veterans."

The new outpatient clinics in Goldsboro and Edenton-Elizabeth City will be operational by 2010.  VA currently has four hospitals, 10 community-based outpatient clinics and five rehabilitation counseling centers in North Carolina.  In addition to the clinics opening in 2010, two others will open next year in Lumberton and Rutherfordton. 

The VA currently operates 153 hospitals and 750 community-based clinics nationwide.

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